How to Avoid Plagiarism in the Age of AI (Yes, It Still Matters!)

Well, I just finished reading all the essays from my second period world history class. Andrey’s essay and Suk’s essay are suspiciously alike. I haven’t yet figured out if one of them copied the other’s paper or if they both used AI. But I WILL get to the bottom of this!

—Lena G., a teacher with 25 years of experience

Teachers like Lena G. can tell you that plagiarism has always been a serious issue in writing. Indeed, we covered this topic in our TextRanch blog a few years ago. But with the advent of ChatGPT and other AI tools, it’s more important than ever to know how to avoid plagiarism.

In this article, we will explain what plagiarism is, explore some reasons why people get caught up in it, and give you some up-to-date tips to avoid it—including guidelines on how to use AI responsibly.

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is using someone else’s words or ideas without giving them the proper credit. This can happen in any kind of writing. It doesn’t matter if the plagiarism is intentional or accidental. It can still cause major problems, from flunking a class to losing clients’ trust to legal issues.

Examples of plagiarism include:

• Copying and pasting text from a website without citing the source.
• Paraphrasing someone else’s ideas without acknowledgment.
• Using AI to generate content that includes unattributed material.
• Submitting someone else’s work as your own.

How AI makes plagiarism easier (and riskier)

AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and DeepSeek can help you write faster. They will even write the whole paper, email, speech, script, or report for you! However, these tools also come with new challenges.

Some people assume AI-generated text is “original” by default, but that’s not always the case. AI language models are trained on existing data, and sometimes they reproduce exact phrases from those sources. That means you might accidentally copy an article or report that already exists without realizing it!

If you and a classmate/colleague are both using the same AI tool to write a paper on the same subject, those two papers can wind up sounding eerily similar. After doing some investigating, Lena G. found out that this is what happened to the two students in her history class.

“They chose the same topic and used the same AI tool to write their papers for them,” Lena explained. “The papers weren’t identical, but they had the same main points. The opening and closing paragraphs were almost exactly alike, with just some small differences in the phrasing. It was uncanny, really.”

If you are using AI to help you with your writing, here are some ways you can avoid falling into the same trap as Lena’s students:

• Don’t copy and paste everything AI gives you. Use AI to brainstorm, get suggestions, or improve your grammar, but rewrite and personalize your final version.
• Include your own ideas, opinions, or real-world experiences. No matter how well an AI tool can crank out an essay or report, there are certain details or nuances that only you can provide.
• Check your sources. If you ask AI for facts, make sure you double-check the information and cite any data or quotes.
• Run a plagiarism check. Many free tools are available to help you scan your writing for copied content.

 

If plagiarism is so risky and it’s so easy to get caught, why do people still do it?

Here are some of the main reasons why someone might engage in plagiarism, along with some tips to help you avoid it.

Reason #1: “I just can’t finish this report before the deadline!”

Solution: In the long term, look for ways to better manage your time so those deadlines don’t come creeping up on you. In the short term, ask your instructor or boss for an extension. They might not be happy about it, but it’s better than getting caught plagiarizing someone else’s work!

Reason #2: “I don’t know anything about this topic. How can I be expected to write this paper/report?”

Solution: Learn as much as you can about the subject. When you know what you’re writing about, you’re less likely to rely too much on other people’s words. You can even ask AI to break down the material for you. But take notes using your own words—not only will this help you avoid plagiarism, it will also help you learn the material.

Reason #3: “I know I’m supposed to cite my sources, but I don’t know how to do that.”

Solution: Find out which style manual you are supposed to use for your class or in your field and follow its guidelines. This article from Purdue University gives an overview of the most commonly used style manuals as well as some additional resources.

Reason #4: “I have trouble writing papers. I make a lot of mistakes.”

Solution: Maybe English isn’t your first language, or maybe you’re a native speaker who struggles with writing because of dyslexia, ADHD, or some other learning difference. Still, most teachers and bosses will be more forgiving if you turn in a paper or report using your own words (albeit with some mistakes) than if you plagiarize someone else’s work. Do the best you can, give yourself plenty of time, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Plagiarism isn’t just about copying someone else’s work. It’s about honesty. In a world where AI can write emails and blog posts in seconds, using your own voice and giving credit where it’s due will set you apart—and keep you out of hot water!

And if you ever feel unsure about how to say something in your own words, TextRanch is here to help. Our human editors can check your writing, suggest clearer ways for you to express your ideas, and make sure your message sounds natural—without losing your voice. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can contact us anytime!